Oct 02, 2022Chad ReynoldsBangShift Galleries, Car Shows, Drag Races, Gallery

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— The new SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award will be presented at the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet to an influencer who has made a positive impact on the automotive industry —

See a video about all the finalists below!

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2022) – SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) announces the finalists for its first-ever SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award. The new program recognizes content creators and social media influencers who have significantly supported and helped build enthusiasm for the automotive industry and car culture. The new award will be presented to one of the top-five finalists at the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet to honor an influencer who has built an engaged audience and used his or her platform to positively impact car enthusiasts of all ages.

The five finalists for the 2022 SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award are Larry Chen, ChrisFix, TJ Hunt, Adam LZ, and Alex Taylor.

The award is a result of the rise of content creators’ and social media influencers’ impact on the industry. Finalists for the award were selected based on their presence and influence across social media channels, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more. The coveted SEMA Industry Awards Banquet will host the finalists and recognize their impact on growing the $50.9 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry.

“These influencers and creators have built up a tremendous voice to help promote, shape, and protect the automotive industry,” said SEMA Chairman James Lawrence. “Each of them has the ability to share their stories and connect with their fans in a personal and impactful way. They also generate tons of excitement and enthusiasm for the automotive industry. They are a big part of being an automotive enthusiast today, and it’s time we recognize them for their contributions.”

Fueled by the SEMA Show’s energy and passion, influencers will head to Las Vegas during the first week of November to connect with manufacturers and builders, learn about new products, witness vehicle unveilings, and attend industry gatherings while sharing their experiences for the world to see.

“Automotive influencers embody the passion that makes being a car person so special,” continued Lawrence. “The content they create is a great representation of what car culture is all about.”

The SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award winner will be announced at the newly revamped SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 3. The banquet, which is the annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry, will also provide the backdrop for the presentation of other industry awards, including SEMA Person of the Year and SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year.

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he majority of new-vehicle owners this past year navigated the low vehicle inventory crunch by purchasing the same brand of vehicle which in turn, kept loyalty high in both premium and mass market segments, according to the redesigned J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study,^SM released today. The study has been expanded this year to report on brand loyalty insights by segment categories: premium car; premium SUV; mass market car; mass market SUV; and truck.

“The issue of tight supply chain and lower-than-normal production could have been quite disruptive to loyalty, but the highest-ranking brands excelled by staying focused on keeping owners in the brand,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “There are multiple paths to keeping owners loyal, but every winning brand showed a commitment to launching fresh products, excellent processes focused on the vehicle owner, high residual values and offering vehicles with great appeal. And, for the most part, they’re all winning with market share.

“However, once the industry gets past the supply chain disruptions, another challenge—the EV race—is about to emerge and is likely shake up the brand loyalty status quo. There is an element of risk to brand loyalty that could erode for those sitting on the sidelines or not moving quickly enough.”

The study, now in its fourth year, uses data from the Power Information Network to calculate whether an owner purchased the same brand after trading in an existing vehicle on a new vehicle. Customer loyalty is based on the percentage of vehicle owners who choose the same brand when trading in or purchasing their next vehicle. Only sales at new-vehicle franchised dealers qualify. The study was redesigned in 2022 to include brand loyalty across five segments: premium car; premium SUV; mass market car; mass market SUV; and truck.

Highest ranking brands

Porsche ranks highest among premium car brands with a 57.4% loyalty rate. Genesis (54.6%) ranks second.

BMW ranks highest among premium SUV brands with a 58.6% loyalty rate. Lexus (56.4%) ranks second. 

Toyota ranks highest among mass market car brands with a 62.2% loyalty rate. Kia (54.1%) ranks second.

Toyota ranks highest among mass market SUV brands with a 63.6% loyalty rate. Subaru (62.6%) ranks second.

Ford ranks highest among truck brands with a 63.8% loyalty rate, the highest loyalty rate in the study. Toyota (58.7%) ranks second.

The 2022 study calculations are based on transaction data from September 2021 through August 2022 and include all model years traded in.

Sep 24, 2022Chad Reynolds1320 Engine Tech, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Tech Story, Apex Engine Tech, Apex Spotlight, Apex Tech Stories, ENGINE, ENGINES, TECH, Tech Stories, Videos

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Sep 22, 2022Chad Reynolds1320 Drag News, 1320 Event Coverage, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, DRAG RACES, Event Coverage, RACING & ACTION, ROAD TRIPS, Videos

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Sep 19, 2022Chad ReynoldsBangShift XL, CHEVY, ENGINE, ENGINES, FUNNY STUFF, Project Cars, TECH, Tech Stories, Videos, XL Project Trucks, XL Tech Stories, XL Videos

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2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD

Class: Subcompact Crossover

Miles Driven: 538

Fuel Used: 18.4 gallons

CG Report Card
Room and Comfort	B-
Power and Performance	C
Fit and Finish	B-
Fuel Economy	A-
Value	B+
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big Guy	B
Tall Guy	B-
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs	169 horsepower
Engine Type	2-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission	CVT Automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Real-world fuel economy: 29.2 mpg

Driving mix: 50% city, 50% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 29/32/30 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Regular Gasoline

Base price: $27,625 (not including $1215 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Audio Plus Package ($1465), Adaptive Lighting System ($615), floor and cargo mats ($249), Homelink mirror ($175), door-sill protectors ($179), roof-rack cross bars ($299), Activity Mount ($399)

Price as tested: $33,550

Quick Hits

The great: Useful packaging, fuel economy

The good: Ride and handling

The not so good: Could use more power

More Corolla Cross price and availability information

CG Says:

Toyota applies the popular Corolla nameplate to a crossover for the first time with the introduction of the Corolla Cross for 2022. Size wise, this new SUV straddles the line between the subcompact and compact SUV classes (we categorize it as a subcompact SUV). It’s roughly 3 inches longer than a Corolla hatchback and about five inches shorter than Toyota’s RAV4 compact SUV, filling the gap between the quirky C-HR and RAV4 in Toyota’s SUV lineup.

For now at least, the sole powertrain choice is a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with a CVT automatic transmission. All models are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A gas-electric hybrid version is expected at some point, perhaps as a 2023 model.

The Corolla Cross is offered in three trim levels: L, LE, and top-line XLE. Inside the cabin, the L and LE versions have traditional instruments, with a 4.2-inch multifunction screen. The XLE model has an upgraded gauge panel with a 7-inch multifunction display, as well as features such as heated front seats and leatherette upholstery. All models have a standard infotainment system controlled by a 7.0-inch touchscreen; an 8.0-inch screen is optional on the LE and XLE. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity is standard on all models.

Also standard on all is Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 set of safety features, which includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, road sign assist, and lane tracing assist. LE and XLE versions have standard cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.

Our only real complaints with this tidy package is the tepid acceleration and limited 2^nd-row seating space. And, as a quibble, we wouldn’t mind seeing an upgrade in terms of cabin materials. All that said, Corolla Cross pricing lands squarely in the value camp.

Although it’s not revolutionary in any respect, the Corolla Cross nonetheless brings the prosaic-but-practical virtues of the proven Corolla brand to SUV buyers in a manner that’s compelling and appropriate. From that standpoint, it should prove to be a solid choice for shoppers seeking trustworthy Toyota value in a handy crossover package. Read our First Spin of the Corolla Cross here.

Test Drive: 2022 Ford Escape Titanium PHEV

Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Nissan Kicks SV

Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Hyundai Venue Limited

Test Drive: 2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS

Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast

Toyota Corolla Cross Gallery

Click below for enlarged images.

What’s New For 2023: Toyota

Car Stuff Podcast

Breaking...

Joe Biden is at the Detroit Auto Show as we speak. The auto show is the only thing that has DEFLATED recently and is EXTREMELY pared down compared to previous shows.

The new Mustang comes later today so while we wait, let's have some REAL fun.

CAPTION these two photos from the show floor.

First is with GM's Mary Barra, Joe and Gretchen Witmer and the second is Joe with Bill Ford Jr.

WHO will have the FUNNIEST one?

Ford is taking the market with its electrification strategy, from which electric versions of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator have already been confirmed. The new 2024 Lincoln Aviator EV is expected to be released sometime next year, and unlike what was initially anticipated, it won’t be made in the Ford Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico. Instead, it will be made at an undisclosed location.

Unfortunately, its electric motor specifications are unknown, but we anticipate that it will use at least two electric motors. Thanks to that, it will deliver significantly more power than the current 3.0-liter V6’s dual turbochargers. It’s also noteworthy that the current model is available optionally with a PHEV system that uses an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery.

Lincoln Aviator EV Appearance for 2024

The 2024 Lincoln Aviator EV will be the company’s first all-electric SUV, and it will have a much more appealing design than the standard version. First of all, aside from minor tweaks, the next SUV, according to renderings, will maintain the same body lines as the current one.

A fresh photo suggests that the front fascia will undergo some changes, in positive way. It will include a bigger grille with chrome-finished components, and new headlights. Additionally, highly fashionable wheels are fitted, adding to the overall attractive appearance.

Interior Design

The 2024 Lincoln Aviator EV will feature a contemporary interior. However, it’s unclear at this point if this model will include three or two rows of seats. According to unofficial sources, the inside of the EV will be similar to that of the Lincoln Zephyr model. So, we can expect two-rows of seats and enough room for up to five passengers. We also expect it to come with the same digital gauge cluster and the sizeable infotainment display.

Satellite radio, Wi-Fi, USB-A and USB-C connections, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and at least a 10-speaker audio system should also be included as standard features. The electric version should also include numerous driver aids, just like automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring without cross-traffic alert.

Rumors About the 2024 Lincoln Aviator EV

Unfortunately, we regrettably lack information about the upcoming 2024 Lincoln Aviator EV powertrain specs. Two electric motors are what we anticipate, making all-wheel drive the default setup. Additionally, a lot of rumors indicate the new electric system could provide greater output than the existing PHEV.

The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine in the contemporary Lincoln Aviator produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter V6 engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery are powering PHEV models as an alternative. As a result, the PHEV generates 630 lb-ft of torque and 494 horsepower.

2024 Lincoln Aviator EV Price and Availability

We anticipate the new Lincoln Aviator EV vehicle to cost $75,000 in total. There are several competitors in the same class, but the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 are the closest. As for the debut, the new SUV will probably be unveiled next year, while sales should start soon after.

Sep 09, 2022Brian LohnesBangShift XL, XL Videos

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